Political cartoon in Daily Wildcat stirs outrage

University of Arizona students and campus community members are outraged over a syndicated political cartoon that was published in Wednesday's issue of the Daily Wildcat student newspaper. The cartoon contains a derogatory racial slur against African-Americans.

"It fueled the fire that we've been trying to put out for so many years," said Hillary Dawsey, a UA student. "I feel very offended that that's what represents the University of Arizona."

About 100 students and community members filled a room on the UA campus Thursday evening to address concerns about the cartoon, and to demand answers and an apology from the newspaper's editor-in-chief, Lauren LePage.

"There was a miscommunication on our staff about which comic would be in the paper," LePage told the gathering. "The comic that ran was not intended to run, I never approved it, and I had not selected it."

In Thursday's edition of the Daily Wildcat, LePage issued a letter accepting "full responsibility for this error."

The cartoon consists of nine panels in which a voter tells a campaign canvasser on her doorstep that she intends to vote for Barack Obama, referring to him by the "n" word.

The cartoonist himself, Keith Knight, is an African-American political cartoonist based out of Los Angeles. He offered a written statement in the Daily Wildcat, defending his comic: "The strip is based on some true incidents that happened to canvassers in some battleground states. Is it offensive? Yes. Is it sad? Sure. But that's the reality of the United States and this very unique election."

But many of the people gathered on campus call the cartoon more "controversy" than "commentary."

"A cartoon that is so racist, offensive, and hurtful has no place on campus," said Tommy Bruce, ASUA student body president.

"I've had personal experience in my life with that word, and it shouldn't be used," said Lonnie Wall, a UA student.

LePage assured that the newspaper staff would use more caution in the future to prevent unintended printing of material deemed offensive. "I have already sent out a notice to staff, saying if anyone sees a derogatory term, it needs to be brought to my attention," said LePage.

For the museum, which was founded in 1892 and is currently housed in the basement of the Flandrau Planetarium on the university campus, it will provide an opportunity to showcase one of the most extensive mineral collections in the country.

For the museum, which was founded in 1892 and is currently housed in the basement of the Flandrau Planetarium on the university campus, it will provide an opportunity to showcase one of the most extensive mineral collections in the country.

The Safe Arizona Schools proposal calls for more money to be spent on mental and behavioral health resources for students, law enforcement presence closer to school campuses, and legal orders that could prevent people considered dangerous from accessing firearms.

The Safe Arizona Schools proposal calls for more money to be spent on mental and behavioral health resources for students, law enforcement presence closer to school campuses, and legal orders that could prevent people considered dangerous from accessing firearms.

Robert and Irma Talamantez have both practiced Santeria for nearly three decades. They said they aren't cruel and they aren't criminals, they're just believers in a misunderstood religion. (Source: KSAT/CNN)

Robert and Irma Talamantez have both practiced Santeria for nearly three decades. They said they aren't cruel and they aren't criminals, they're just believers in a misunderstood religion.

Robert and Irma Talamantez have both practiced Santeria for nearly three decades. They said they aren't cruel and they aren't criminals, they're just believers in a misunderstood religion.

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Nikolas Cruz appears in court for a hearing in Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Monday, Feb. 19. Authorities said Cruz’s brother was arrested for trespassing at the same school on Monday, March 19. (Source: Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP, Pool)

Authorities say the brother of the teen charged with killing 17 people at a Florida school has been arrested for trespassing at the same school.

Authorities say the brother of the teen charged with killing 17 people at a Florida school has been arrested for trespassing at the same school.

(Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP). FBI agents work the scene of an explosion in Austin, Texas, Sunday, March 18, 2018. At least a few people were injured in another explosion in Texas' capital late Sunday, after three package bombs detonat...

Officials reported that an explosion in southwest Austin injured two men in their 20s who were hospitalized with injuries that didn't appear to be life-threatening.

Officials reported that an explosion in southwest Austin injured two men in their 20s who were hospitalized with injuries that didn't appear to be life-threatening.